Lido Key


Lido Key is a barrier island off the coast of Sarasota, Florida, in the United States. It is part of the city of Sarasota and is connected to mainland Sarasota by John Ringling Causeway.

Nearby keys

To its north is Longboat Key; to its east are Bird Key and St. Armands Key; and to its south is Siesta Key.

Description

The island features numerous sandy beaches facing the Gulf of Mexico, as well as a park called "South Lido Park", which has a beach and a woodland trail. The island is well developed with a wide variety of luxury hotels and beach houses, and has a seasonal nightclub scene. While not as popular as Siesta Key Beach, Lido Key Beach is reviewed as a more private beach that is more relaxing for the tourists who come from around the world to visit it. Weddings and other private parties will often book a section of the beach for their guests.

History

In 1926, Lido Key opened to automobile traffic, the Lido Beach Casino opened, and John Ringling, Samuel Gumpertz, and Owen Burns built a $30,000 pavilion, dock, and bathhouses just south of where the Lido Beach park sits presently. However, by the 1950s, poor management resulted in the deterioration of the casino. It was demolished in 1969, and remodeled and modernized by 1970.

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